Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Hits the Big Happy Hall
On Saturday in Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame threw a rock‑in‑the‑pocket party that had Taylor Swift twirling Carole King’s classics, Barack Obama dropping a live video sermon about Jay‑Z, and Paul McCartney singing a shillelagh‑style ode to the Foo Fighters.
Star‑Studded Line‑up
- Taylor Swift opened the night with a pop‑tastic cover of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”
- Jennifer Hudson belted out “A Natural Woman” in tribute to 79‑year‑old Carole King.
- Chris Pratt and friends had a snippy one‑liner: “That’s a lot. Trying to make me cry in front of all these white people!” as Jay‑Z chuckled.
- Dave Chappelle gave Jay‑Z a huge round of applause and a “hip‑hop is not a fad” jab.
- Paul McCartney toasted Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters with an old‑school rock salute.
- Christina Aguilera headlined a fire‑fueled medley of Tina Turner’s greatest hits.
- At the very end, Tina Turner—now 81—sent a video of her thanks, joking about still getting awards at her age.
Hall of Fame Highlights
Besides the greats, the ceremony also honored the Go-Gos, rapper LL Cool J, German synth‑rock pioneers Kraftwerk, and the late Billy Preston. A surprise absence was Todd Rundgren, who skipped his own induction because, as he said, “musicians aren’t supposed to play contests.”
Why Get Inducted?
Artists must have a career span of at least 25 years to qualify. The Hall of Fame sends ballots to over 1,200 music insiders, voters, and the public who are asked to cast their preference votes.
Future Pay‑back Pay‑back
The 2021 induction event will stream on HBO on November 20, so whether you’re at the venue or at home, you can catch all the vibes.
There’s no doubt that the Hall of Fame keeps the good times rolling—whether you’re 25 or 81, there’s still a place on the wall.
